Parents' Guide to

5 Flights Up

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Slow-moving relationship drama with little at stake.

Movie PG-13 2015 92 minutes
5 Flights Up Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

Maryx464
Maryx464 Adult
March 27, 2021
age 9+

Sweet & Heartfelt

5 Flights Up is a refreshingly different take on an interracial, mature relationship between a Black artist & his White retired schoolteacher wife. The main plot of the film is that they plan to sell their apartment in Brooklyn, but during the weekend of their open house you see their mental flashbacks of meeting, starting their relationship, their losses & struggles, etc. & they run into several roadblocks along the way. The way the story is told is in a refreshingly non-racist way, with very little mention of the "racial difference" between them. Plus, even though the couple is mature, the issues of being a mature couple are touched on in a sensitive way. Overall, the film had a good, relatable story, great actors and a terrific ending. Very satisfying & a good movie for all families, including grandparents & great-grandparents, but I would recommend it for kids over age 9-10, depending on their maturity, of course! So I really recommend it!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Ruth (Diane Keaton) and Alex (Morgan Freeman) have been living in the same Brooklyn walk-up apartment for four decades, but now they're looking to move. The many stairs are tougher to navigate, and their neighborhood has become desirable, meaning they could sell for more than they'd ever expected. Over the course of several days, they endure a stream of potential buyers evaluating the apartment, while searching for a new space to call home. It's a stress-inducing exercise that forces the long-term couple to address some important issues in their marriage.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Not much happens in 5 FLIGHTS UP, and there's little resolution. The movie shows a long-married couple during a time of great change; moving is the kind of big experience that taxes any relationship, even a kind and loving connection like Ruth and Alex's. They fight, but they do so with love. Freeman and Keaton have a great rapport, bringing to life the kind of happy people that you'd want to hang out with. Their bond is the best part of the movie.

The rest of the film disappoints. Cynthia Nixon's pushy real-estate agent, though improved by the talented actress, feels like a stock character, as do the the stream of lookie-loos who stop by to check out the apartment. (The real estate "issues" seem manufactured at best, and inaccurate at worst.) The bigger issue is that there seems to be little at stake here. The movie never makes it really clear why Alex and Ruth want to sell their home -- besides being on a high floor, that is -- so when they start to have second thoughts, we wonder why they were doing it in the first place. In the end, the movie just shows a few days in the life of a couple we don't mind spending time with but don't truly get to know, either.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Ruth and Alex's marriage. What makes them a strong couple? How do they compare to other couples you've seen in movies and TV shows?

  • How do Ruth and Alex resolve their conflicts? Have you tried to do the same in similar circumstances?

  • What role does the hunt for the suspected terrorist play in the story? Does that add edge to the movie's content?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate